May 24, 2013

Is Your Vehicle Safe for Memorial Day Travel?

With the Memorial Day Holiday weekend upon us and the summer vacation
season fast approaching, we at AskPatty know there is no better time to “Be Car Care Aware”
about your vehicle.

According to the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
an average of 13,000 Americans are killed during the summer travel season between Memorial Day weekend
and Labor Day. A portion of these deaths can be directly attributed to
unperformed vehicle maintenance as each year neglected maintenance leads
to over 2,600 deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries, and more than
$2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage.

“Proper car care is important at all times, but is particularly
critical during the holiday travel seasons,” says Rich White, executive
director of the Car Care Council. “When vehicle maintenance is put off
too long, you’re potentially putting your safety, as well as the safety
of your passengers and other drivers, in jeopardy.”

With American drivers spending 11% more time on the road this
year, according to a study from the Surface Transportation Policy
Project, having a safe car and driving safely are both high priorities
as we head into summer. Car trouble, usually due to neglected
maintenance, brings an abrupt end to vacation plans and can also lead to
dangerous results.

This scenario usually can be avoided with a pre-vacation inspection.
This "physical" for your automobile should address the following
systems:

Cooling

Braking

Emission

Steering/suspension

Fuel

Electrical and ignition

In addition, an evaluation of the following should be performed:
engine performance, tires/wheels, A.C./heater/defroster,
instruments/gages, windshield wipers, horns/lights/mirrors, seat belts
and the car's body, inside and out.

Not only can a pre-trip inspection help reduce chances of costly and
possibly dangerous road trouble, it also provides an opportunity to have
repairs made at home, with one's own technician who knows the vehicle.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car
Care Aware” campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular
vehicle maintenance and repair. For more information and to download
your free copy of the Service Interval Schedule, visit www.carcare.org.